The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-28
Temperance in Temps GRANGE.

n friend who does not believe in prohibit
ton as the proper agency to deal with the
whiskey question, at this time, but who
is church-goer and church. member,
requests us to publish the following ex-
tract from letter written by Bishop Fl.
n McTyere to the Christian Advocate, on
the temperance issue in Tennessee. He es-
pecialy wishes to have emphasized the
liberal sentiments announced by the Bishop
and commend the spirit of it to the par
ties to the controversy On the temperan ce
question as worthy of imitation:
II expect, with pleasure and special
sense Of responsibility as citizen of Ten
nessee, to cast a vote for prohibition in
September. Others may differ in their
convictions they may not see in the pro-
posed constitutional amendment the best
or the proper remedy for the evils under
which the country groans, and the great
Ell evils which threaten us, from the whis-
ky power. They are entitled, without
question, to the opinions and to the free
speech and action which legitimately be-
long to such opinions Herein some of
the advocates Of Temperance are in dan
| ger OF being Incorporate, and they dam
age their cause. [ have heard that (but
never heard) a preacher in the pulpit de-
clared that no man could be Christian
or Methodist who did not favor the pro-
posed amendment. Another came, so re-
port goes, close to this most reprehensible
utterance by saying he did not see how any
man could consistently be a Christian or
a Methodist who was opposed to the pro-
posed amendment. The time has passed
when honest and upright citizens can be
read out of political party by heated
speaker who may differ from them as to
the best way Of attaining an end desired
by BOTH The time never was when a
! preacher could read members out of the
Church who are temperate and even tee
tOtalerS in fact, and yet hold views differ
ent from his own as to the policy of a
measure proposed by the Government for
the suppression of the evil, or the proven
tion of the crime that grows out of whisky.
To these well-meaning but indiscreet ad-
vocates of what believe to be good cause
and who, | trust, are fewer in number
and lesser in offence than reported-I beg
leave to utter word of caution. BE sober.
Other men have right to their opinions
on questions OF eXpe6iency as well as you.
| In the pulpit our topics are limited. Your
vows require that you instruct the people
committed to your charge, and teach moth
ing, as required of necessity, to eternal SAL
walton, but that which you shall be per-
suaded may be concluded and proved by
the Scriptures. y
Let us take care that Christian citizens
who divide at the polls are not divided also
at our affairs.
Pardon me, Mr.. Editor, for this diver
gence from letter to homily. 1t is short,
and if unnecessary, shall be glad.
{. | rejoice to see this day. The women
and children rejoice. The issue is made
up. The counts have declared the extreme
remedy of prohibition to be constitutional.
Nothing short of it. it seems to me, will
meet the case. Milder remedies have all
been tried and failed. We may have pro
hibtion if we will. For one, l cannot
consent to bear any part of the perilous
responsibility Of giving further license to
liquor making or liquor dealing.
II. N. MCTYEIRE.